[K-Women Talk] Setting Goals for a 'Think Week' to Welcome 2024

As a headhunter, I am interested in various people due to the nature of my job. Among those who catch my attention is a lawyer who reads extensively and posts intriguing writings. For the past month or two, I have often been drawn to the impressive illustrated images accompanying their posts on social media (SNS). Recently, I learned that they have been giving lectures on artificial intelligence (AI) at the request of others. Reviewing numerous resumes, I can clearly feel the increasing demand related to AI. In particular, I frequently encounter new topics and terms related to generative AI.

Starting with the OpenAI ChatGPT story earlier this year and now the growth of GPT-4, along with AI image generation tools like DALL·E and Midjourney, and news about real-time multilingual translation features, things once seen only in sci-fi movies have quietly become reality and seem to be gradually becoming part of everyday life.

The year 2023, marked by particularly intense fluctuations, is inevitably coming to an end, and many people are looking forward to sweet holidays. One of the keywords that often appears for office workers at this time is setting goals and making plans for the coming year?an extremely important but sometimes troublesome agenda for some.

Why is it difficult to set goals despite excellent guidance from many authorities on goal management and career development? Often, the core performance indicators (KPIs) set by the company differ from an individual’s personal growth goals. In today’s rapidly changing society, employees may lose sight of their own goals while following company objectives, which can negatively impact their personal growth and development.

David P. Campbell, an authority on career development, advises in his book to accumulate various “assets” when clear goals are absent. He emphasizes that these assets are crucial because they provide opportunities for diverse choices in the future. For example, the ability to understand and utilize AI can certainly become an important asset in a rapidly evolving technological environment. The concept of “Homo Promptus,” presented by Professor Kim Nando as one of the 2024 trend predictions, highlights the importance of developing skills that add value toward a future where collaboration with AI is essential. It is also well known from a Netflix documentary that Bill Gates spends a week twice a year in his private retreat to organize his thoughts alone. This “Think Week” involves reading, organizing ideas, and immersing himself in deep thought.

The end of the year is a time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Setting clear goals is not easy, but it is an important first step in understanding and realizing one’s true values and desires. When goals are unclear, it is important to prepare for the future by gaining experience in various fields, learning new technologies, and building one’s own “blocks.”

As we approach the year of the Blue Dragon, which is said to bring luck to many in the Gapjin year, I recommend spending time getting familiar with AI during a “Think Week,” even if not alone like Bill Gates. Experience the amazing process of generative AI not only helping with goal setting but also meticulously creating detailed action plans.

Moon Seon-kyung, Executive Director, Unico Search

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.